The Break Room: What advice do you have for making the most of an internship?

Summer is here and internships are in full swing! We’re fortunate to have talented students joining us in many of our offices. We asked some of our employees what tips they have for making the most of an internship experience. See what they had to say!

Don’t be afraid to ask questions! I know it can be intimidating walking into a studio full of people who have been working for a while, but everyone is there to help. Ask your teammates, supervisors and peers for support and take the opportunity to learn as much as you can!

ASHLEY WOODNashville, Tennessee

Take in as much information as possible from as many different people as you can. Pick their brains! Also, never deem a task as menial—complete every assignment to the best of your ability and it will help you long after your internship is complete. Nothing done well is insignificant!

CAMERON TRAYLORBirmingham, Alabama

First of all, don’t forget the W’s! Ask plenty of questions – why, who, what, where and when – and stay eager to learn. Second, ask your supervisor for a variety of experiences during your internship. Being exposed to different project stages will greatly benefit you in the long run!

NILANJANA SNYDERJacksonville, Florida

A summer internship is a great introduction to the professional world. You can learn a lot by just being in a firm’s environment. Take the time to meet your co-workers, soak up as much real world knowledge as possible and enjoy the experience!

AKEEM TURNERNashville, Tennessee

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DISCLAIMER: We encourage comments and welcome your thoughts; however, GS&P reserves the right to edit or remove any comments which are off-topic, blatant spam, abusive or slanderous, or violate copyright. Comments posted are not necessarily the viewpoints of GS&P. As each project is unique, the information contained in this article only represents general design related concepts and issues based on the author’s knowledge and experience, not specific design guidance or legal advice.

Jason Boyll is a senior designer in GS&P’s Atlanta office, serving the Transportation market. He has more than 15 years of electrical design experience in the transportation and architectural, engineering, and construction (AEC) industries with eight years specializing in roadway lighting.

Gresham, Smith and Partners is a privately held firm of architects, engineers, interior designers and planners creating design and consulting solutions for the built environment. Our more than 800 employees are committed to building value with our clients as trusted advisors and to making positive social, economic and environmental impacts in our communities. In 2017, GS&P proudly celebrates 50 years in business. We look forward to continuing to serve our clients while fostering the professional and personal growth of our employees.